Energy

Image: GRID Alternatives

Supplying reliable and sustainable energy to the state’s economy requires planning and policies underpinned by a commitment to utilization of the best available science. To this end, California’s energy infrastructure must be designed to cope with the state’s highly variable conditions and frequent disruptions from wildfires, storms, and floods, which will be exacerbated by more frequent and intense natural disasters brought by a changing climate. The impacts of climate change have potential to be drastic for the energy sector. For instance, changes in temperatures, precipitation patterns, extreme events, and sea-level rise have the potential to decrease the efficiency of thermal power plants and substations, decrease the capacity of transmission lines, render hydropower less reliable, spur an increase in electricity demand, and put energy infrastructure at risk of flooding.[1]

To address resilience of the energy sector, local jurisdictions must work with utilities and regulators. At the state level, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) are working to address the effects of climate disruption on the energy sector. Priorities for the energy sector include actionable research, working with vulnerable communities, and continuing to invest in renewable energy, renewable distributed generation, energy efficiency, and building retrofits. All of these efforts can bolster and incorporate climate adaptation, limiting climate impacts while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A priority should be on improving energy sector resilience for vulnerable communities, as these communities will suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change.[2] Another important piece is for investor-owned utilities and other energy infrastructure owners to develop robust vulnerability assessments and resilience plans, incorporating the risks from a standardized set of climate scenarios.[3]
Local governments can partner with utilities in these areas, to provide energy security, reduce energy demand, and improve system reliability.

California Natural Resources Agency. 2018

California state agencies collaborated to compile each of these examples, associated with Safeguarding California's 2018 update, to show how California is preparing for and adjusting to various extreme events brought on by climate change. … Each of these examples highlights unique strategies, funded by the state, to combat and adapt to the effects of climate change. The examples are tagged with icons from the Safeguarding California Report, classifying stories by sector. This example focuses on the Cal-Adapt's useful to the energy sector.

California Department of Water Resources. 2015

DroughtSnowpackTemperature

Data, tools, and research

DWR releases science and data critical for climate change adaptation and mitigation for water management in California. The booklet summarizes the latest indicators, implications and strategies with regard to a changing climate and the water-energy nexus.

California Energy Commission. 2016

Extreme heatExtreme stormsSea level riseTemperatureWildfire

Data, tools, and researchPlanning and policy guidance

The Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) is a biennial report prepared by the California Energy Commission that assesses and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand, … and prices. The 2016 Update reviews the strategic research response underway to assist climate adaptation and vulnerability studies in the state’s energy sector and discusses the development of a set of common climate and sea level rise scenarios for use in energy infrastructure planning, such as siting new power plants and other energy infrastructure projects.

Elissa Lynn. 2018

DroughtExtreme stormsFloodingTemperature

Climate Story

This climate story is one of a series that aims to share authentic experiences of Californians as they deal with a changing climate. In this story, Elissa Lynn shares how she is creating a model for other state agencies to prepare for the changing hydrologic conditions.

Dennis Eckhart. 2018

DroughtTemperature

Climate Story

This climate story is one of a series that aims to share authentic experiences of Californians as they deal with a changing climate. In this story, Dennis Eckhart describes how he and his wife Terese have made changes to their home … and lifestyle to be more environmentally friendly and to combat climate change.

City of Vista. 2012

Extreme heatExtreme stormsSea level riseTemperatureWildfire

Plan or strategy

Chapter 3 of the 2012 City of Vista Climate Action Plan lists five adaptation measures including reassessing vulnerability and protecting the public to address heat waves, wildfires, temperature, extreme heat, and extreme storms.

Marin County. 2014

DroughtExtreme heatSea level riseTemperature

Plan or strategy

Chapter 7 of the 2014 County of Marin Climate Action Plan includes a discussion of the potential impacts on the County due to temperature, drought, sea level rise, extreme heat, and wildfires. The chapter also includes sections on collaboration … and funding of implementation measures.

City of San Luis Obispo. 2012

DroughtExtreme heatExtreme stormsSea level riseTemperatureWildfire

Plan or strategy

The 2012 City of San Luis Obispo Climate Action Plan addresses adaptation in every chapter. Each chapter includes an adaptation strategy for temperature, extreme heat events, wildfire, sea level rise, drought, and extreme storms.